Stepfather charged in AJ Hadsell’s murder pleads not guilty

COURTLAND, Va. (WAVY) — The man charged with the killing of his stepdaughter has pleaded not guilty.

Wesley Hadsell entered the plea Tuesday morning in a Southampton County courtroom, and requested a trial by jury. A motions hearing has been set for May 21.

A grand jury indicted Hadsell on murder charges in mid-November — more than three years after the disappearance and death of Anjelica “A.J.” Hadsell.

Wesley Hadsell, who has long been a suspect in the case, is faced with two murder charges — one accidental and the other deliberate and premeditated. Attorneys told 10 On Your Side this gives prosecutors a better chance of getting one or both convictions.